How Florida’s 50/50 Time-Sharing Law Impacts Your Rights In Fort Lauderdale Child Custody Proceedings

As a single or divorcing parent filing for child custody in Fort Lauderdale, you need to be aware of the state laws that apply and how they can impact your case. The Broward County Family Court generally encourages child time-sharing arrangements. Under the Florida Statutes, a 50/50 parenting plan is presumed to be in the best interests of children unless evidence suggests otherwise.

Our Fort Lauderdale child custody attorney represents parents in these cases, protecting their rights and their children’s well-being. Learn more about Florida’s 50/50 child time-sharing presumption and how it will likely impact your case.

The Presumption Of 50/50 Child Time-Sharing In Fort Lauderdale

For prior generations of parents involved in Fort Lauderdale child custody proceedings, the presumption was that awarding primary custody to the mother was in a child’s best interests. That presumption has changed dramatically over the years.

Today, under Section 61.03 of the Florida Statutes, the presumption is for 50/50 child time-sharing arrangements that allow both parents to be active in the child’s life. To award anything less, the judge must determine that a 50/50 split is not in the child’s best interests. This can happen due to any of the following factors:

• One of the parents lacks the inability to provide a stable home environment or otherwise meet the child’s daily needs;
• They have a history of domestic violence, child abuse, or neglect;
• They have issues with substance abuse or untreated mental health problems that could endanger the child;
• They engage in criminal behavior or expose the child to inappropriate behavior;
• Logistical challenges, such as parents living in separate cities, which can make equal time-sharing impractical.

Because the courts begin with the presumption of equal custody, parents must be well-prepared to demonstrate why a different arrangement is necessary.

How the 50/50 Time-Sharing Law Impacts Parents in Fort Lauderdale Child Custody Cases

For parents involved in Fort Lauderdale child custody cases, Florida’s 50/50 presumption towards child time-sharing has implications they need to be aware of:

• Fathers now have a stronger position in custody cases;
• You must have strong evidence if you believe the other parent should have less than 50 percent custody;
• Relocation requests may face more challenges, as moving out of the area could disrupt a court-ordered 50/50 schedule;
• 50/50 child time-sharing is a significant factor in determining any child support that must be paid.

To Protect Your Child and Your Parental Rights, Contact Our Experienced Fort Lauderdale Child Custody Attorney

Without legal help, Florida’s time-sharing laws can impact your rights to custody and your child’s well-being. If you are going through a divorce or separation and need to prove that a 50/50 split is not in your child’s best interests, contact experienced Fort Lauderdale child custody attorney Sandra Bonfiglio.

Our office serves as a strong advocate on behalf of parents throughout Broward County, protecting them and their children in legal proceedings. Reach out to our Fort Lauderdale office and request a consultation today.

Sources:

leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.13.html

browardclerk.org/Divisions/Family